Key Ingredients to Victory: Saints vs. Falcons

The New Orleans Saints were coming off their first loss of the season, 15-12 to Philadelphia, with notable bumps and bruises, including center Erik McCoy’s groin injury that required surgery and a trip to injured reserve.

Losing the best offensive lineman is a huge blow to the line, but there is no time for complaining and no time for pity. The Saints (2-1) play the Falcons (1-2) on Sunday at noon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and the Falcons would like nothing more than to move on.

The Saints know this will be a tough, emotional game. Here are some ways they can prevail:

The Eagles were able to stop the Saints and the running game in particular, using a 6-1 defensive lineup (three defensive linemen, two edge rushers and one edge linebacker) to limit the Saints to 89 rushing yards on 29 carries . The Falcons will use it too, because why wouldn’t they? Alvin Kamara’s readiness for the Saints (285 yards and four touchdowns on 61 carries, 132 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions) is paramount as he remains the best offensive option for New Orleans. It looks like he’s ready, and Taysom Hill returns from his pectoral injury to hit the defense a few times to loosen them up. A better running game leads to a better offense.

The New Orleans team had a week to adjust to life without McCoy. Life comes at you fast, and even faster in professional sports. So the fact is that whoever stands up at center (possibly Shane Lemieux) and right back (possibly Landon Young, without Cesar Ruiz) will have to be prepared and effective when it comes to this offense I will be after a performance of 12 points and 219 yards against the Eagles to get back on track. Protective quarterback Derek Carr (sacked once, hit four times, rushed at least another 10 and 14 passes for just 142 yards) is at the top of the list, and that may require chip support from tight ends and backs.